SOME people maintain that this is a substandard flat racing season, but the message seems to have been lost on Alpha Centauri, who has almost single handedly elevated elite performance above the norm.

Following the filly’s wins in the Irish 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes (in a phenomenal time) and the Falmouth Stakes, she was at it again last weekend in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, showing a clean pair of heels to many of Europe’s best milers.